On the Town: Burroughs Bowl puts students center stage

Preparing for their Burroughs Bowl performance are, from left, Ashley Velasco, Shayne Beamer, Jack Harman, JBHS Music Director Tana Barnett, Gabe Joven, Gilma Bernal, Jason Tom and Garcia Innocentia.

By David Laurell

May 21, 2013 4:45 PM PT

From the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theater and the John Anson Ford Amphitheater to Burbank’s own Starlight Bowl, Burbankers have no shortage when it comes to selecting a nearby venue for an evening of star-canopied music.

While not as high profile as the aforementioned, the Burroughs Bowl, located between Clark and Verdugo avenues, nestled in the quad of the John Burroughs High School campus, has, for the past five years, served as yet another outdoor entertainment option.

“We are so excited to again perform our very own mini-Hollywood Bowl concert filled with high-quality memorable music in a wonderful outdoor setting,” said Tana Barnett, director of bands at Burroughs. “Our annual ‘Live! At the Burroughs Bowl’ event is the perfect way for our student musicians to end the school year, and a fun evening for the entire family.”

Staged for the fifth consecutive year, students from various branches of the school’s instrumental programs — the wind ensemble, symphonic band and concert band — joined forces to perform scores from some of cinema’s most beloved films this past Saturday evening.

Presented as a fundraiser by the Burroughs JBHS Instrumental Music Assn. booster organization, more than 300 attendees, with picnic baskets in tow, claimed spots for their blankets and lawn chairs as they settled in for the evening that included music from “Les Miserables,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Sound of Music.”

“It takes a lot of money to give our kids the opportunity to participate in an enriching instrumental music program of the quality that Tana provides,” said Sandie Seaver, who chaired Saturday’s event. “We are underfunded, so by making a program like this available to the community, it takes some of the financial burden off the parents.”

The event was made possible by Robert Jung, president of the booster organization, and directors Debra MacRae, Lorna Lopez, Vivian Tom, Marnye Langer and Geri Maddern, and coaches William Alvarado, Dave and Brenda Etterbeek, Wendy Mazon, Jeff Smith, Kirsten Edkins, Evan Jung, Jean Marinelli, Steve Suminski, Tina Raymond and Colin Seaver.

Funds raised at the event will assist the boosters in their mission to provide outstanding music education through the exploration of instrumental music performance in all genres.

Saturday’s performance, an annual highlight for Burroughs’ musicians, was especially meaningful for those making their final appearances at the Burroughs Bowl, seniors Gilma Bernal, Ermar Cruz, Jack Harman, Alex Imfeld, Garcia Innocentia, Gabe Joven, Sakthi Kasthurirengan, Daniel Kerkotchian, Jacob Kim, Kate LaFrance, Brandon Olivas, Max Ostrow, Jason Tom, James Adao, Daneeka Barajas, Shayne Beamer, Nicole Beer, Catherine Bond, Eric Casillas, Frank Cruz, Brandon De Niz, Brandon Deahl, Jorge Jimenez, Robert Jimenez, Brian Jones, Keith Lohacharoen, Andres Ortuno, Tony Phi, Steve Shin and Ashley Velasco.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.